Split ply tires and bead area monocomponents

Abstract

An intermediate article of manufacture formed as a first stage bead area subassembly for a split ply pneumatic tire carcass is disclosed. The bead area subassembly has an annular bead core; a bead apex; a ply strip; and preferably a sidewall affixed to the ply strip. The subassembly is formed into a disk-shaped bead area monocomponent. The ply strip is wrapped about the bead core and the apex to form a ply turnup and both the ply strip and the ply turnup extend radially outwardly from the bead core. The bead area subassembly when formed into the disk-shaped bead area monocomponent is placed on an annular holder device. The combination of the bead area monocomponent on the holder device can be stacked for storage and latter assembly into a split ply carcass. Preferably, the ply turnup can be oriented extending inside or axially inward of the bead core on final assembly to form a split ply tire having axially inside turnups. In the preferred embodiment the ply strip is reinforced by radially extending ply cords.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An intermediate article of manufacture formed as a first stage bead area subsassembly for a split ply pneumatic tire carcass, the bead area subsassembly comprising:
 an annular bead core having an axis; 
 a bead apex; 
 a ply strip reinforced by cords, the ply strip having a main portion including a working ply or outside portion extending to a radially outer end positioned on one side of the subsassembly and having an outer surface for affixing a rubber or elastomeric sidewall portion along a portion of the outside or working ply portion that is vertical and an intermediate portion that follows the contour of the bead apex; 
 said ply strip further comprising a vertical turnup, as oriented relative to the bead axis, extending along an opposite side of the bead apex and extending radially outwardly from the bead core, wherein said bead apex is similarly vertical relative to the bead axis; 
 a sidewall affixed to the ply strip; 
 wherein the subsassembly is formed into a generally flat disk-shaped bead area monocomponent; and wherein 
 a gum chafer is applied to the outside of the ply strip and wrapped around the bead core, the chafer being a durable rubber element to prevent chafing. 
 
     
     
       2. The intermediate article of manufacture formed as a first stage bead area subassembly for a split ply pneumatic tire carcass of  claim 1  wherein the ply turnup is oriented extending inside or axially inward of the bead core and final assembly on the working ply portion is oriented outside or axially outward of the bead core to which the sidewall rubber or elastomer can be applied to form a split ply tire having axially inside turnups. 
     
     
       3. The intermediate article of manufacture formed as a first stage bead area subassembly for a split ply pneumatic tire carcass of  claim 1  wherein the cords of the ply strip are radially extending.